NRPG: Start Beginning Credit Music The Compile was our last best hope for peace. It failed! But in the year of the Great Federation Civil War it became something greater, our last, best hope for victory. The year is 2407. The place: Compile Alpha Nine. Begin montage of faces and pretty ships. Okay, you can have pretty faces too. Today's compile Index comes from the Great Link. Day 16 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Commander Archibald Stakes - 09:13) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Commander Archibald Stakes - 09:16) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Lorak - 09:18) (USS Boudicca, Main Bridge, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.06) (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.07) Day 21 (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, Isolation Ward, MCO Eva Straton, TAC/SC Sasha Stolev & a-COUNS Oggie Marsh , 0916) (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, ACMO Josh Caskie - 0920) Day 22 (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 Corridor AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea -1852) (USS Bouddica Turbo Lift AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 1853) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 20.30) (USS Boudicca Carfts Personal Quarters AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea - 2050) (USS Bouddica Corridor Deck 3 AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 2052) (USS Bouddica Turbo Lift AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 2053) (USS Bouddica Observation Lounge AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 2056) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Champlain CO - Captain Susan Rivers - 2057) (Observation lounge - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 20.58) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - ACMO Josh Caskie - 2115) RPG: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 16 Stardate: 2407.03.09 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Commander Archibald Stakes - 09:13) "But judging from the view of your nacelles when I arrived, it was clear that I had not been. My pilot's nerves were shot from the inbound trip, so we decided that transporting was the next best thing. I hope I haven't been too much trouble, sir" Archibald heard the end of Johnson's defense and nodded. It was a good explanation, mainly because it could be easily checked. And considering that Starfleet Officers were not known to be mentally deficient, that also meant that checking it would not be necessary. "We were told of your arrival, about a minute after you beamed aboard. I guess a complaint is due to the spacedock commander. It is negligence of duty of an unacceptable order. As for you, Lieutenant, welcome on board. I read that you are the new Chief of Operations and I think it is wise if I tell you what I expect from you. You will notice that I run a tight ship and that will be impossible if the operations department does not perform their tasks adequately. In such events, Lieutenant, I will hold you responsible. Personally responsible." Archibald caught himself in a rare smile, in remembrance. "Commander Bates, my old Chief of Ops on the Rose, would have many tales to tell you, as you, more than any other department heads, will feel the sting of my words. Your department is the central hub of everything that happens on board and you will do well to remember the importance of it. But from time to time, I am sure I will remind you of that." The smile faded as the memories were stored away again. "Personally responsible, Lieutenant." (reply Donald) Just as the Chief of OPS finished his reply, Archibald desk communicator came to live. =/\= Uhh, Commander. Ensign Goran, Sir. I think you'd better come to the bridge, Sir. =/\= Archibald was out of his chair and the door opened before the bridge Ops officer could finish the sentence (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Commander Archibald Stakes - 09:16) As soon as Archibald entered the bridge he stopped as if struck by lightning. He saw the entrance to the bridge as well as the area between the central chairs and the OPS/CONN positions filled with crates, boxes and the like. And from stumbling and scraping sounds behind the larger stack, it appeared more were coming. A security officer, who sweated heavily, saw Archibald's look and quickly came to attention. "Sir! As ordered, Sir. The Lieutenant's luggage, Sir. For your perusal, Sir! Well, most of it. There are still two loads downstairs. It wouldn't fit all in the turbolift, Sir." For a moment, Archibald shot a look back at he OPS-officer, who nodded, before the Commander looked back at the mount. "Have they been checked as I ordered?" "Yes, Sir. they seems to contain foodstuffs mostly. Apart from those two," the security pointed at the two crates that were balancing rather precariously on top of the mount. "Oh?" Archibald asked taking a step closer. "Yes, Sir. One uhhhh goat, Sir and two uhhhh lizards, Sir. Or so the tricorder said." Archibald first thought to ask the new Chief of OPS for an explanation when suddenly the larger of the two crates shifted and a soft bleating could be heard. Soon the bleating grew louder as did the movement. Before anyone could react, there was a sudden thud coming from the crate that lurched sideways, knocking the smaller crate down and Archibald had to take a step back to stop it from falling on his foot. The crate crashed onto the ground and first one then two green heads emerged from under the wreckage, peering around themselves in mute wonder, their tongues flicking out from time to time, tasting the air. The security officer stepped closer to pick them up and suddenly both bolted away, one scurrying away quickly to 'hide' behind the OPS/CONN position, the other to hide on top of the tree in front of him as it scurried up the small trunk. Yet, somehow it didn't feel right and it stopped halfway and dug his claws into the bark for better grip. Archibald sighed once, but never winced, as he slowly said: "Mister ... John..son, next time you will de-claw any ani...mals that you bring on board. And I will want a word with ... you. After you sort out ... this mess. Mister La...roon. Your phaser, please... A low set ... ting will suffice, I would .... say." Archibald looked down for the first time and saw blood seeping through his trousers where the lizard hung on for dear life. (Reply Donald, Lorak, any on the Bridge) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Lorak - 09:18) "Mister La...roon. Your phaser, please... A low set ... ting will suffice, I would .... say." Lorak stepped from the tactical counsel and had pulled his phaser out making sure the setting was low enough. ~Well this is the first.......I wonder if we could just Space all this junk?~ He then aimed and shot the lizard once on its left side. Once the lizard fell to the ground Lorak had placed his phaser in its holster and picked the animal up. "Sir would you like me to find some room for these...........crates someplace more fitting? like an airlock Sir?" (Reply Donald, Stakes, any on the Bridge) (posted by Jay) (USS Boudicca, Main Bridge, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.06) Better, Ensign, much better. Follow The commander stated succinctly. Lise cringed inwardly. While she was disguised as a bajoran/human, that did little to hide her perceptions of others. She could tell that Stakes was not impressed. Doing as shed been told. Lise followed, head high, into the ready room. (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.07) Lise watched the commander make his way around the desk and then flip the monitor open. Interesting reading, this file his voice did not vary in tone. He continued. Lise stood opposite him, hearing her manufactured record being recited before her. Cadet al-Sharif is someone with attitude who only respects the rules that she feels apply to her. This was your counsellors assessment just before graduation at the Academy. Oh, and apparently you are also a loose cannon. Splendid, I can see that we will get along just fine. Now personally, I do not let other peoples thoughts and ideas cloud my judgment, but in your case I think I might have to. Lise stood, silent. She said nothing. She had become accustomed to enduring such moments as of late. On some level, she suspected that perhaps, this had been one of LoDonnas hopes for her mission. The commander continued: Make no mistake, Ensign. On board this vessel you will respect the rules that * I * feel that apply to you. In fact they will be the same rules that will apply for * all * who serve aboard this ship. You will abide by all the rules or you will spend most of your time in the brig. I trust I made myself clear on this subject. Crystal. SIR. Jael responded forcefully. Lise wouldnt let Jael roll over and cease the borderline defiant behaviour that so characterised her. To do so, would be masquerade suicide. The commander flipped the screen down and continued to speak to Jael. I also saw that you are returning to this ship and that Commander Rivers saw it fit to give you a good evaluation report. ~Susan~ Lise thought and resisted the compelling urge to smile. Despite all the trouble that Lise had caused as Jael, Susan had likely reported on what Lise/Jael had done that was good. She remembered their evening of conversation. Since then, they hadnt seen one another as it had either been too dangerous or the two had been stationed in different places. The commander was still talking: That stands you in good stead. Unfortunately the reasons for your removal from this vessel seems shrouded in secrecy. Combined with the fact that you dont seem to need to undergo physical examinations and if needed and Admiral will provide us with all required medical information? That is, to say it mildly a strange set up. A * very * strange set up. A set up so strange that as soon as I read it my mind came up with one word. Spy. Unfortunately my experience with spies have been somewhat one-sided so far. They can not be trusted, they have little regard for the safety of the vessel they are on, including the crew on it, and they tend to feel themselves above the law. A bit like your personality, I just realised. What an interesting coincidence, dont you think. Jael opened her mouth, to protest. Lise had carefully crafted a response for such situations but wasnt allowed to give it as Stakes hand indicated that he was less than interested in what she had to say. Lets deal with the first priority first. Trust. Why would I trust someone with a misted over background like yours and for that matter why would I trust anything that you say? Jael looked Stakes straight in the eye. Her large brown eyes not flinching for a moment. He didnt intimidate her. Not one bit. Dont trust me. I wouldnt. Im here to do a job. As are you. Thats what I do, my job. My record indicates I am competent at it. Thats it. You can trust me to do my job. Should you believe me? Thats up to you. But I have been stationed here and I will do my job be an engineer. And then, you can decide whether to trust me more substantively or not. But now, commander, I dont envy you. You get to make the decision whether or not to trust what I have just said. SIR, and I would hate to be in that position. Luckily, however, I am not. (Reply Stakes, any) (Posted by Kat) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 21 Stardate: 2407.03.14 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, Isolation Ward, MCO Eva Straton, TAC/SC Sasha Stolev & a-COUNS Oggie Marsh , 0916) "There you have your precious truth, Eva. Can you handle it?" Eva looked at the fat counselor as if he had suddenly sprouted wings, jumped up on a table and stared dancing a striptease while singing bad Klingon opera. She stared at him wide eyed for several seconds before she burst out in loud belly laughter that she just couldn't hold in any longer. She laughed and laughed until her eyes watered up and tears ran down the side of her face. She laughed until her sides ached and she couldn't laugh any more. She lay on the bed panting for several seconds trying to catch her breath. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?" She asked finally. "There were no habitable planets in the system, it's one of the reasons I chose it, let alone a planet with a medieval society. On top of that, anyone who knows me at all would know I would NEVER do any of the things you claim I did. I'd die first before I would ever violate my oaths. Your going to have to show me proof if you expect me to believe a crazy story like that." ~Three weeks? Impossible. This can't be happening. There has to be some other explanation.~ Slowly her hands moved under the restraining field to her belly and her eyes widen in surprise as she felt the small but now noticeable baby bump there. Oggie watched the woman finally starting to work things through. He was sure that soon enough she would start laying links and then doubt would creep in. Of course Oggie would be more than willing to add to it. "Why don't you ask Sasha?" he said, his face impassive. She snorted. "Then bring him in," She said. "Ok, I will, as soon as he is back from his little errand. But in the meantime, Eva, let's go back to the beginning. You were in a shuttle in a mentally bad state, if I understood correctly. So what happened then? Did you see the place and suddenly decide that that was the perfect spot? What were your criteria?" Eva sighed and gathered her thoughts before replying. "I was wounded. In the previous mission I nearly died defending the away team. As that mission is highly classified I cannot divulge details without written orders from Fleet Command. I was still recuperating from my wounds. My subconscious disciplines that prevent me from losing control of my telepathy while asleep where damaged. I was a threat to the crew of the ship and nearly killed Sasha. I needed solitude and time till I could rebuild my disciplines. I asked Captain Sevant for permission to take a shuttle and lay low until I could guarantee that I was no longer a threat to the crew. I discovered the system about three days after I left the Boudicca. The system seemed the perfect place to lay low while I worked to rebuild my disciplines and finish recovering. It was extremely difficult to scan and there were no habitual planets. My criteria was a place that would hide my presence, in case there were any enemy ships in the area, and no indigenous life so I wouldn't inadvertently harm anyone by accident. I landed on a lifeless moon and remained there until I was ready to return to the Boudicca. All of that should have been in the shuttles logs. Anything else?" Oggie looked up and saw Sasha returning. "Come in, Sasha!" he shouted through the closed door. Sasha re-entered the isolation ward, carrying a bunch of grapes in one hand, a bemused look on his face. He was pretty sure he was being used as some sort of counseling prop, but he kept that thought to himself. "Oh, lovely, white ones. " Oggie said then signaled that he could bring them to her. "By the way, Commander, can you tell Eva what the name was that she was given on the planet? And what she was wearing when you finally met up with her?" Sasha was still holding the grapes out for Eva when he heard this question. He looked at them, an understanding of their purpose slowly dawning on him as he thought of the Caesars of ancient Earth. He then flicked his eyes towards Marsh before turning them back to Eva. "I believe they referred to you as the Anointed of Alazara, or something like that. And you were wearing a... well, some sort of armored helmet, a shirt of chainmail under these robes you're wearing, and you were carrying a sword. We had to take off the armor to be able to carry you through the woods to the shuttle." He looked to Marsh, unsure of how much further he ought to go, though he suspected that before this all was over, he would have to tell Eva everything, and he dreaded finding out what her reaction would be to it all. Oggie smiled friendly to Stolev and tapped him on his back. "Thank you, Commander. And how many followers of Eva were there when you found her?" he asked, hoping that one more question would make Eva acknowledge the truth. Sasha shrugged. "I don't really know. Quite a few. Enough to easily overpower the group of two dozen or so that had captured us." He looked at Eva, trying to gauge what effect this was having on her. Oggie turned to Sasha. "Thank you Commander. You may leave now or stay here, to keep her company. I fear she is going to need all the support she can get at this time. Well, Eva," he asked turning towards the woman. "Your thoughts, please." Eva looked up at Sasha as if he had grown a second head. "There was NO habitable planet in the system," She said, her voice cracking. "Why are you saying these things Sasha? Touch me." Sasha looked at Marsh, then laid his hand gently on Eva's shoulder. "I'm sure that habitable planet wasn't there when you got there. But it appeared sometime before you crashed on it. It belongs in another universe, and phased into ours only temporarily. It's gone again. I don't understand the science of it. But everything I've said is true." He sighed. "But... there's one other thing. When we were on the planet, searching for you, we shared dreams, you and I. You... the real you... was lost in a fog of subconsciousness. This Anointed persona had no idea that she was anything other than that." Eva closed her eyes, hearing Sasha's words, but using the direct physical contact and their link to enter Sasha's mind. :: Show me what happened. Really show me,:: She said, in his mind. :: You may see what I know, Imzadi... but I did not personally witness much of what happened, as you will no doubt discover.:: And then he closed his eyes and opened his mind to her. Seeing the change in their faces, Oggie realised that they were doing and for a moment he thought about breaking it up. He then sighed as he realised that all he could do was to trust the Commander. In a span of a few heart beats Eva witnessed everything Sasha had witnessed during the search for her including everything that had transpired during the away mission. She saw every sight, heard every sound, every smell, as if she had been there herself, including seeing herself dressed as warlord and leading a primitive army. She jerked away, breaking the link, as tears rolled down her cheeks and she looked up as Sasha with pain filled eyes. "You should have killed me," She said to him, with pain filled eyes before turning her face away from him and Marsh, too ashamed to look at either of them. "I have violated every oath I ever took. My honor is gone. My life is forfeit, it is the only option." She closed her eyes, and with tears rolling down her cheeks, she willed her heart to stop. Suddenly the bio monitor started beeping alarmingly and without a moments hesitation, Oggie filled his extensive lungs. "NUUURSE!" he bellowed. "Eva! NO!" yelled Sasha, grabbing her shoulders, desperately trying to make her stop whatever it was she was doing to herself. "You didn't know what you were doing... you didn't know who you were... it was all because of the crash... you couldn't violate an oath you didn't know you had ever taken..." Tears started to run down his face as, in desperation, he sought to appeal to her not as a warrior, but as a mother. "Don't make your unborn children pay for your own honest mistake!" (reply by Caskie, anyone in sickbay, any) (Posted by wes, Aaron and Adrie) (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, ACMO Josh Caskie - 0920) After talking to Nurse Fisher Josh had started her rounds. Thankfully there were very few patients in the facility at present and just as she was preparing to check on Ensign Linskens a loud bellow came from the direction of one of the other isolations rooms. "NUUURSE!" Josh had never heard that voice before, at least, not at that decibel level, but it certainly didn't take a genius to work out where the problem was. ~Oh lord, what now. I swear that woman is more trouble than a whole nursery full of two year olds.~ Taking to her heels Josh somehow managed to get through the doors before they were even fully open. Understanding what was happening in only a couple of glances, one at the biobed monitor and the other of the faces of the two men on either side of the bed, Josh jumped into action. Quickly deciding that it would be best for the Colonel if she at least had a physical contact with Commander Stolev Josh decided to shove the Counsellor out of the way and just as quickly bounced right back off him. "Out of my way Sir, NOW" Reaching over she activated the clamshell on the bed, grabbed the hypospray of telepathic suppressant in her pocket that Dr Jahlen had made ready earlier and injected it into the Colonel. Keeping an eye on the vital signs monitor Josh keyed in instructions for the clamshell to shock the Colonel's heart back into regular rhythm. Once the readings began to stabilise she turned to both of them. "I take it she did this to herself, and Counsellor, I take it you told her everything, yes? Well, I've restarted her heart again and given her another dose of telepathic suppressant which should at least stop her from trying that little stunt again for a while. I'll have a member of the medical staff stationed here permanently with orders to sedate her if they feel it necessary. You are both welcome to stay, you especially Commander and perhaps you should take the time to explain to the Colonel that a good few people risked their lives to retrieve her and that committing suicide is certainly not an option that I will tolerate in my Sickbay." Josh turned to the Commander and one look at his face softened her anger. "I apologise Commander that comment was uncalled for. Just keep explaining to her all the reasons she still has to stay alive. You are probably the one person who can get that through to her." (Reply Oggie, Stolev, Eva, any) (Posted by Marilyn) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 22 Stardate: 2407.03.15 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 Corridor AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea -1852) Ive been here for a while, Carft answered and nodded in response. Well I can see youve been busy with the ship, Carft said referring to the repairs that have been taking place on the ship. Lorimar noted Kea glancing at the PADD in his hand. Bob held it up as he explained. "Aye... the ship was in a bit of a state. Must have been a rough fight ye were in before I joined up..." Bob paused, wondering if he should pursue that topic, then decided not to for now. "Ye have caught me working on some of the lower priority repairs. Being in OPS you know the state of things, I'm sure. I was just working on one of the ODN control lines that backup the primaries for the turbolifts. We had to prioritize the work... had too few hands and far too much to do. The secondary and standby stuff is just getting attention now. If there is anything I can do tae help, just ask." Thanks for the offer I will and if there is any help I can be from OPS dont hesitate to ask ,Carft answered friendly. And then paused Well I guess Ill see you around then, I need to get going, still have to report in, Carft finally said. (Reply Loran) Kea nodded and proceeded to the bridge. He felt his footsteps move faster the same old thing of excitement was getting back to him. He hadnt seen the bridge of the Bouddica for a while and wandered how it looked after the many repairs that had been made. The turbo lift slowly opened and Kea stepped inside. (USS Bouddica Turbo Lift AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 1853) Deck one bridge, Craft ordered. The computer as usual beeped and the lift started to move upwards. Several crewmen now and then entered the lift and exited the lift. Finally the lift made its last and final stop at the bridge and reported in. (Reply, Any) Posted By: Maarten (USS Boudicca - Bridge - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 20.30) Donald stared out at the console before him monitoring the various sub-systems of the ship kept the ship alive. Some might disdain the personification of a ship, but how could one live on one and not come to consider her one of the family. He had served on a handful of ships since his time in Starfleet, from the time he joined up as a crewman to graduating from the Academy and beyond. Even the glowing consoles seemed to speak to him. Oddly enough, it seemed the console was often very hungry. ~Cookies...Mmmmm~ thought Donald, as he checked the small box next to him. He had decided that he would take some baked cookies to the meeting in a half hour so. After all it would be the first chance to meet all the department heads. Although he had been onboard for a week, he had yet to meet everyone especially with a huge chunk of the crew on the Kittyhawk. He had had a devil of a time reassembling his equipment in his quarters, not to mention making Thelma and Louise comfortable. Nanny didn't have much of a problem settling in, she never did. Unfortunately, he was still in the process of Nanny proofing his quarters. The blasted goat seemed to have a matter recycling system hidden within to breakdown the countless number of objects that had found its way into her gaping maw. ~Thank god for the transporter,~ he thought closing his eyes in quick silent prayer. ~Or I'd never see half the stuff the she's tried to consume.~ (USS Boudicca Carfts Personal Quarters AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea - 2050) Carft who had returned to his quarters took the time of he got to go threw the ships systems and was familiarising himself with them. He was stationed on a Miranda Class ship for a while so he took the liberty to check up on the systems of the Bouddica which would later make his dutys on the bridge a lot easier. Kea suddenly realized the time and hastily turned of his PADD and lay it down on his desk and then headed for the Turbo Lift. ~Great just great, first meeting on the Bouddica and I nearly forgot about it,~ Carft thought. (USS Bouddica Corridor Deck 3 AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 2052) Carft made his way threw the corridors swiftly almost bumping into some of the crew when he suddenly realized he had still 8 minutes before the meeting was going to start. So he took a deep breath and that calmed himself. As he entered the turbo lift. ~Come on your still on time calm yourself man~ A little voice inside him called. (USS Bouddica Turbo Lift AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 2053) Observation Room, Carft said repressing his feeling in his voice. The lift immediately started to move as it was ordered. It didnt take a long time before he felt the lift again to slow down. Kea exited the lift and entered the observation lounge. (USS Bouddica Observation Lounge AOPS Ensign (Jg) Carft Kea 2056) Most of the officers were already there he quietly took his seat. And listened carefully to what the Captain had to say. He noticed several unfamiliar faces. As his eyes glared over the room. "Our first order of business." Sevant said. Telling them about the change in command staff. A man stepped forward he had black hare and then spoke, Some of you I have already met others I will meet shortly. Ill be around Carft grinned. With a rather strict smile the Commander gave the assembled crew another long look and took a step back. The Captain then continued in his discussion and explanation about their mission. The subjects were mostly about the ships status and its new crew Carft had no doubt that they were all fine officers. As was the Commanders whos personality Carft puzzled. Carft wasn't sure what was going to happen on there new mission, how will the crew fare in combat, how good will the ship perform in a fire fight? He didnt know what dangers lied ahead of them. With all these questions that couldnt be answered Carft felt troubled. ~Well what could possibly go wrong on such an advance ship as the Bouddica?~ The voice spoke. ~Thats just the thing I am worrying about ~ Carft answered when he suddenly realized he was talking to himself. He looked around and picked up a PADD in front of him it had some mission data on it. With a few taps of his fingers Carft started to read through the PADD. (Reply,Any) Posted by: Maarten (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Champlain CO - Captain Susan Rivers - 2057) Susan walked into the Observation Lounge a bare three minutes before the meeting was due to start. She paused for a moment, astonished, as she saw Straton sitting there, as if none of the events on the planet had happened. ~What is *she* doing here?"~ she thought, and made her way to a seat as far away from Straton as she could manage, and where she could keep an eye on her. The geography was a little difficult but she managed it, keeping her hand on her phaser as she did so. Had it been her choice, Straton would be confined to quarters until she could be transferred to a proper psychiatric facility for a full range of tests, but it wasn't. She nodded politely to Commander Stakes and then noticed ~how did I miss him?~ Zzt sitting on the floor as he always had done at every meeting she had seen him at. She smiled at the big Gerratlian then noticed more new faces and... ~Jael~. She nodded distantly to the ACEO and then noticed a new Lieutenant enter and place a plate of cookies (which he took from a small case he was carrying) on the table. A delicious aroma began to fill the room and the Lieutenant indicated they were to share, as he made sure to take one himself. Susan took one and smiled her thanks at the Lieutenant. ~Where did all the new faces come from?~ she thought, feeling out of things. ~Not surprising, really. You're leaving. Why would they tell you about the new ones?~ The cookie was delicious and she thanked the Lieutenant with a smile. She was temped to take a second but didn't, thinking it better to allow the others to share too. Sevant arrived, on the dot of 2100 as was his habit. After a momentary double-take on seeing Zzt, Sevant began the meeting with the announcement of Susan's promotion and imminent departure. He introduced Stakes as the new FO, and Susan gave the Commander an approving smile. She hadn't had the chance to find out much about him yet but what she had managed to was interesting, to say the least. ~At least he'll do a good job, if his record's anything to go by~ she thought. ~And Sevant will need a good XO. Looks like he's got one.~ "Mr.Drizzt and Mr. Caskie have been assigned to the Champlain as well. Mr. Drizzt, you will select a Demi-company to take with you, that demi-company will be on temporary detached leave to provide security for the Champlain. Our extended mission orders make it possible to redistribute our force to other more needy duty-stations, if only for a while." She was watching Leonal as Sevant made his announcement that Drizzt and Caskie would accompany her. His face had been a perfect mask when Susan's leaving had been announced but now he blinked, and threw a glance to Straton, then to Susan. She flashed him a brief, warm smile as their eyes met, and his antenna twitched slightly in return. Enough for her to know that he was as glad and as torn as she was. "Now, we have other new faces among us besides Commander Stakes. Introduce yourselves and your duty station, briefly." Sevant said as he sat back in his chair. They introduced themselves one by one, and Susan took partial note. Only partial, because her concerns would not be with this crew but with her new crew. "I realize we've only been on board for a short time, " Sevant continued after the introductions were over, "but you've all had time to at least check in. What's our intermediate Status?" "Repairs have progressed better as originally planned. Commander Zzt's team as well as our own engineering officers have performed an exemplary service, Sir." Stakes said quietly from his position. "The ship is almost fully operational but tomorrow we will be complete. If I may, I have prepared a listing of crew rotations and crew changes to account for the hard work that those who were on board this vessel have performed. You will all see them on your monitors in front of you. For those who have seen them already, you will notice that all crew who have been participating in the retrieval of Lieutenant Colonel Straton as part of the away team are not listed. That is because I deem that they did not receive sufficient downtime after the mission. Hence they will get it now. They are as of the end of this meeting off duty for 48 hours. No exceptions allowed. Afterwards I will hold meetings with all department heads to discuss the workings of their departments. Again, no exceptions allowed." Susan nodded, glad that Gil, Matt and Haggerlsson would get some down-time. Linskens was still in the Kitty's Sickbay and would be heading back to Geneva eventually. Zardak... she frowned momentarily. Zardak she didn't know about. She made a mental note to speak to Oggie about him later. She would also need to speak to Commander Stakes and pass over what little she had so far managed to pull together about the cause of Straton's behaviour. The investigation was by no means complete; so far nothing she had found seemed to explain it fully. The logs of Straton's shuttle had of course been lost which meant they only had her word for what happened before they themselves heard of her doings on the planet. She hoped Stakes would have the chance to find out more. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Liz) (Observation lounge - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 20.58) ~I should have left earlier.~ thought Donald as he shuffled into the observation lounge. He nodded to Commander Stakes, before taking a seat at the table. He opened his small case and pulled out two plates of cookies. Thanks to his handy dandy warming case, he was able to keep them warm. ~Chocolate Chip~ he thought, as he smelled the aroma. ~Always the best cookie.~ Placing them in the center of the table as best he could, he snatched one up and signalled that they were for everyone. Sitting back down, he waited for the meeting to start. ~Still crispy.~ he smiled to himself. ~And gooey inside.~ Donald munched quietly while the meeting began A Vulcan Captain began to speak introducing himself and announcing the change in crew. ~So Stakes is new here too.~ thought Donald, as he applauded the promotion for this Captain Rivers as well as the installation of Commander Stakes. It was one of those meetings and an important one. It appeared the ship and the crew had been through a lot. Younger faces surrounded him, but he was glad to see veteran ones too. All too often in situations like they were in, the young faces replaced the old too quickly. As was the nature of things, but it seemed time was not on the march, but a sprint to the end. While it was easy to be pessimistic, Donald made the effort to be almost unreasonably cheerful. It was always too easy to become depressed in these dark times. When it came to him to introduce himself, he stood, smiled, and said, "My name is Donald Johnson, Chief of Operations. I am at your service. I'd be happy to meet anyone over a meal. It's the most important time of the day afterall." He nodded to the assemblage and took his seat again, as the roll call continued. When everyone had introduced themselves, the Captain asked for a ship status update, which Commander Stakes provided. Donald nodded along with the commander's assessment, he had been working hard with engineering to get the ship up to snuff as quick as possible. Being a battleship, it never did to be unarmed or defenseless. (Reply Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - ACMO Josh Caskie - 2115) After the Captain had asked for a status report the person Josh now knew to be the new FO began speaking. "The ship is almost fully operational but tomorrow we will be complete. If I may, I have prepared a listing of crew rotations and crew changes to account for the hard work that those who were on board this vessel have performed. You will all see them on your monitors in front of you. For those who have seen them already, you will notice that all crew who have been participating in the retrieval of Lieutenant Colonel Straton as part of the away team are not listed. That is because I deem that they did not receive sufficient downtime after the mission. Hence they will get it now. They are as of the end of this meeting off duty for 48 hours. No exceptions allowed. Afterwards I will hold meetings with all department heads to discuss the workings of their departments. Again, no exceptions allowed." Josh craned over the head of the person seated in front of her to watch the monitor as it scrolled through the rotation and only just managed to hear the comment about the away team being given 48 hours downtime. At first Josh was taken aback and to be quite frank, annoyed. ~I have far too much to do to take 48 hours off~. Eventually, after she had thought about it for a few seconds, she realised that the new FO was right. Every single person on the away team needed time to come to terms with what had happened to them on the planet, and if Josh was being honest with herself then that included her too. Deciding that this new FO certainly didn't look the type to argue with unless you had a cast iron reason to do so, Josh simply decided to go with the flow. Since she would be shipping out on the Kitty Hawk she might as well return to her quarters here on the Boudicca once this meeting finished, gather up what odds and ends were still there and take the time to transfer herself and them back over to the Kitty Hawk Maybe after that she might just sleep for the rest of the time. ~Lord knows Josh~ she thought, ~you could certainly do with it.~ (Posted by Marilyn) NRPG: I now call this meeting of compiler's anonymous to a close. If you feel the need to compile, don't panic, just ICQ your sponsor and they'll help you through it. Remember that, hey, what are you all doing here, this is a closed meeting! Get out everyone, Computer! Emergency Beam Out Alpha Nine! -USS Boudicca, NCC 49901 Star Trek: Freedom - http://www.startrekfreedom.com